[ptlyon]

Does your plan offer loans out of the 401k? If they do, you pay it back at prime interest with no penalty. I have done both, both cashed in my 401k when I changed jobs and taken loans out. Most definitely you get bent over taking it out prior, but a loan is a good deal. You still shouldn't even take a loan out because you are technically losing money out of the account - but in dire need, it is a nice way to take out a loan and pay yourself back, with interest, to yourself.

Hope this helps Rick.